The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-02

vine development of, Hebraism. The
language of Christianity is the Ian
guage of the Old Testament. Its
thought and spirit is that of Moses and
the prophets. Its doctrines are essen
TALLY their doctrines. The gospel in
the Old Testament, as well as the New,
administered under different method
perhaps, yet truly there. The referen-
ces are Old-Testamental; its way of
putting truth are Old-Testamental, and
one great cause Of stumbling over the
undeniable doctrines of the New Tes-
lament is that the student is not pre-
pared for them by previous acquaint-
ance with the Old Testament, and 80
does not grasp the doctrine, or its form
Of expression, as he otherwise would.
The Old Testament was our Sa-
viour's Bible,-the Bible of his Apos-
ties, of st. Paul and st. John and of st.
James. st. Paul, in writing to Timo-
thy, says that the holy Scriptures (Old
Testament) which he had known from
a child, were able to make wise
untosaivation through faitf wf1fch IS
in Jesus Christ. 1t is the Old Testa-
ment which they recommend as in
spired writing; for the New was not
yet written. 1t was from the Old Tes-
lament that the Saviour and st. John
and st. Paul and others preached, con-
verting both Jews and Gentiles to the
Christian faith. The ancient Fathers
held the Old Testament as well as the
New, in high esteem; and it is held in
high esteem by the greatest scholars
and theologians of the church to-day.
Those who lightly esteem it can not
become fine theologians, or well inform
ed, and will very soon, if they do not
already, lightly esteem the New Testa-
ment. The gospel can be very well
preached from the Old Testament.
Nor is too much time given to the
Old Testament, when we consider
what it contains, what are its beauties
of style, its loftiness of thought, its
practical morality and piety, though it
may be admitted that the lessons are
not invariably chosen wisely. Our own
Winchester Profession says; "We be-
lieve that the holy Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments contain rev.
elation of the character of God and of
the duty and final destination of man
kind" If so, we need thorough study
of the Old Testament in our Sunday
schools as we'll as preaching from it in
our pulpits. 1t should be more highly
regarded.
vi. 1t is claimed by some, that the
Lessons are too difficult. 1t takes too
much time and effort to prepare for
them. 1t takes time and effort to pre-
pare anything to do it well. And 1 can
not see that this difficulty would be
avoided by substituting other Lessons
for the International. If this be fault,
it seems to lie rather against those who
prepare the Lesson study than with the
International Lessons themselves. And
this would not be obviated by substitu-
ting other Scripture lessons instead of
the International. But 1 am inclined
to think that our editors do as well
as can be expected OF them. Ii
not, how shall we help it +? We must
change editors, not Lessons. am not
always satisfied; but should be with
any? Would you ? or would every in
dividual, any wayp 1 think not. How,
then, can we better ourselvesp Let us
have better and more conscientious and
pains-taking teachers who are willing
to take time to prepare themselves, if
they are not prepared for their work,
and not find fault at the result Of their
own neglect. Every result worth any
thing costs something, and there is no
royal road to knowledge or to Sunday
school teaching.
VII. Perhaps the pastor or superin-
tendent thinks he can get up plan Of
lessons and lesson-studies that will suit
him and the need of his school better
than the International Lessons and the
studies which come from our Publish
ing House, and very likely he might.
But they might not suit any one else;
might not give general satisfaction to